Despite the lure of a fab route down in the Test Valley, 2 groups of 8 opted to stay local and head to seldom ridden Yattendon for a rolling lumpy 100km.
Group 1’s progress was halted before Henley with Carwyn’s watch jumping free of its mount, but he managed to back track and recover it. Group 2 then led the climb up past Henley Golf Club, Joff straining at the leash to pass. As we hit the steep ramp exit, Phil G selected a box of neutral gears, spun unconnected to 150rpm before hitting the deck as he stalled. (Calls to check he was ok were made, and a pair of his group 2 buddies waited).
Thereafter rolling countryside, down to Pangbourne and beyond, on mostly narrow green hedge lined lanes. Eventually at Yattendon, and Fraser hot on the maths to declare we weren’t even halfway, we stopped for lovely cakes/coffee.
In other maths, watt/kg is often touted for climbs, but with Joff saving his Di2 battery he went most of the ride without changing gear. (400w climb at 40rpm, 10w/rep, fine for sprints at 100rpm+ but knee popping elsewhere??)
Group 2 joined and no one was in a particular hurry to leave. The route home was again rolling, and Simon Hughes waved us onwards wishing to go at his own pace (or hitch a lift on group 2’s train). They would have their own issues Phil D damaging a rim and puncturing. Whilst the magic electric pump did part of the job, something more hammer-like may be needed on the rim. (Simon never got his lift). Joff would peel at Streatley for extras.
At Nettlebed, Al got left behind at a junction (not often he doesn’t dart for the gap), and could only maintain a gap until Scott waited and towed him back in the traffic. The group was tiring, though Chris found more joules to tow us strongly to Frieth-Xroads where 2 peeled.
Super route. (Thanks Mark, who was in Test Valley). Excellent weather and fab coffee stop.